Missing the Mark

Short Talk (SHT057) Missing the Mark © Jane Hulme 2016 Aim of Short talk: Main themes: Biblical references: Props: SHORT TALK: “MISSING THE MARK” (SHT057) To help people understand that sin can be seen as “missing the mark” of obeying God’s commands. Sin, love Romans 3:23, Mark 12:30-31 Target, bow and three arrows. A children’s set can be purchased for a reasonable price at Amazon or Argos. ........................................................................................................................ The Bible tells us that we have all sinned.  So what is sin?  To help us understand I need N to come and help me. (Volunteer comes forward and you give them three arrows) I have a target here and I need N to shoot three of the arrows I have given them,  so that they hit the target each time. OK N you go and stand over there and I’ll stand here (Ask N to stand so far away from you that it is totally impossible that their arrows will even hit the target)  When you are ready, please shoot one of your arrows and see if you can hit the target. (N shoots an arrow)  Bad luck, try again. (N shoots an arrow)  Have one last try. (N shoots an arrow) Oh dear.......none of your arrows hit the target.....  In fact they didn’t even get anywhere near the target. That little illustration might help us understand what sin is.  One of the words that the Bible uses to explain sin is the greek word, “hamartia” (ham-ar-tee'-ah), which means missing the mark,  as we have just shown with our arrows missing the target. Some of us might wonder what the mark or the target we are aiming for is.  Listen to what Jesus says the target is:  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength, and love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:30- 31) So imagine that the target represents the commands to love God and to love others.  N please shoot your 4th arrow (The arrow should miss the target)  Sin is when we fail to love God.  N please shoot your 5th arrow (The arrow should miss the target)  Sin is when we fail to love our neighbour.  N please shoot your 6th arrow (The arrow should miss the target)  Sin is when we rebel against God and put ourselves first. © Jane Hulme 2015 2 We are all guilty of sin because we have all rebelled against God and ignored his commands.  None of us has perfectly loved Him or perfectly loved our neighbour.  It isn’t simply those who commit murder, or rob banks that are sinners;  we also are sinners according to the Bible. The good news is that God has done something about our sin.  He sent His Son Jesus into the world to call us back into relationship with Himself.  Jesus lived a completely sin-free life.  He loved Father God perfectly. (Pick up arrow and stick it on the bullseye of the target)  He loved other people perfectly. (Pick up arrow and stick it on the bullseye of the target)  He obeyed His Father completely and served other people. (Pick up arrow and stick it on the bullseye of the target) In fact Jesus loved us all so much that He was willing to be crucified to pay for the sins that we have all committed.  If we come to him, admitting that we are sinners......Jesus not only forgives us and gives us a fresh start,  but He also gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit to live inside us, who enables us to love and obey God and to love and serve other people.....  That’s good news isn’t it? © Jane Hulme 2015 3